With Pancake Tuesday done and dusted across the world and all of the sweet stuff gone from the house, people will have set their goals for Lent and may also be marking their foreheads with crosses made from ash.
But what does the ash signify? How long does Lent go on and what happens afterwards? Here is your guide for everything about Ash Wednesday and Lent:
When is Ash Wednesday?
Every year Ash Wednesday occurs 46 days before Easter Sunday and the day following Pancake Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday as it is sometimes called).
READ MORE: Pastor who prayed with psycho killer Cornelius Price believes he 'repented on his deathbed'
Easter Sunday itself does not have a set day, taking place on the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. This year Easter Sunday falls on Sunday, April 9, meaning Ash Wednesday falls on Wednesday, February 22.
When does Lent begin?
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Christian holiday of Lent, a six-week period during which time people who practice abstain from eating sweets, smoking, alcohol or any other bad habits.
Those who celebrate the holiday do so to celebrate Jesus spending 40 days and nights fasting in the desert, according to the bible.
Why do people mark the day by getting ashes on their foreheads?
During mass on Ash Wednesday, a priest will mark a person's head with a cross made from ashes.
The ashes are made from burning the palms used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday. People generally leave the ashes on their foreheads for the rest of the day and they are used to represent a person’s acknowledgement of their sins.
Can you eat meat on Ash Wednesday?
On Ash Wednesday practising Catholics are not supposed to eat meat. On Ash Wednesday those that participate in the holiday are also supposed to fast and give up one meal during the day.
READ NEXT:
Madeleine McCann latest: All the ‘evidence’ so far from young woman claiming to be missing child
Urgent recall issued for Argos and Currys customers in Ireland over fire risk with vacuum
Cost of living measures - 12 key points in Government announcement on social welfare, taxes, bills
Paul Mescal's local pub offers star free pints saying he was a 'good regular' before fame
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
